Because... Birds.

 

Cosumnes River

Lodi, California

February 6th, 2021

"Some people are very competitive in their birding. Maybe they'll die happy, having seen a thousand species before they die, but I'll die happy knowing I've spent all that quiet time being present."

 

~Lynn Thomson

Birding With Yeats: A Mother's Memoir 

 

Click to enlarge

Black Phoebe

Stockton, California

February 10th 2021

Nikon
 

Okay, so the second day, of the second impeachment, of Donald Trump happened yesterday, and all I can say is, the current GOP is made of up nothing but soulless monsters! If I didn't quite think it before, I do now. It's a devastating thought that half our government wouldn't care if the Democratic party was completely scrubbed from the earth. And tell me, considering that is their hope/wish/goal, what exactly does that mean for the rest of us? I was raised in a staunchly liberal democratic household in the San Francisco Bay Area, but that is not what makes me a staunch Democrat today. Critical thinking does. A skill taught to me by my father. 

 

It wasn't enough to know what you think, you had to know why you think it. What set of facts lead you to the conclusions you have formed, and can you see other sides to the argument, even if you can't adopt them to your conclusions? It seems like such a simple formula, but apparently, it isn't. The number one defense coming from the insurrectionists, during their legal proceedings is, "the devil made me do it" defense. In this case it is Donald Trump walking in the devil's shoes. They believed they were saving America, when in fact, they were manipulated into doing his dirty work, just like so many before them. See: Michael Cohen. He at least tried to warn us.

The insurrectionists are displaying a small amount of critical thinking in their actions. They answered a call to arms from Donald Trump. They came to the capitol to "Stop The Steal." The problem is, while they knew what their purpose was that day, the allowed a man to dictate all facts. To form the narrative with repetitive false claims and promises of rewards. And lets not pretend that the shadowy figure of Q didn't play a huge part in this mess. He is not really being mentioned in this. Trump and Q"s efforts culminated in one of the darkest days I have seen as an American. The election we just had, had every chance of going Trump's way. We came very close to living under a true fascist regime. And who know what would have come next? Is there such a thing as a modern fascist party? Fascism with just enough democracy, that it can hide it's darkest corners?

Yesterday left me shook. I watched never before security tapes of January 6th. Folks running for their lives. Police officers begging for back-up. Police being beaten. A man stalking Nancy Pelosi with the eerie diabolical taunt of, "Hereeee Nancy." We all recognize that tone coming from a man, don't we? All under the guise of 'patriotism." My heart is broken. I am scared of March 4th and the possibility of what might occur. And I am angry that this is who and what America is now, or at least half of it seems to be.

But all was not lost yesterday. I took a few minutes, and stepped out onto the porch to do some photography of birds in the front yard. To my delight there was a Black Phoebe, and a Blue Jay. The jay alluded me but I finally got a decent shot of the Phoebe. Unfortunately, they weren't in the yard long, because of loud noises, and folks moving about, but that's okay, because there is another chance today. I know that every day gives me a new chance to live the best I can. I am lucky to have that. I will let them give me refuge again, because birds do that for me. Actually nature in general does, but right now, it's the birds. There is a rooster somewhere in the neighborhood, and this morning his songs make my heart sing along with him!

 

 

I will be okay, because... birds.

~Carly

 

 

Perp Walk The Fucking Horse Already!

 

"Reality is the leading cause of stress

 amongst those in touch with it."

 

~Jane Wagner

 

 

 Trump Time

 

So, what a year, am I right? Wow, the last 7 months of 2021 have been crazy! Wait... what's that? We are only on day 8? Nah... you joke! What's that? No? You're not kidding? It's only day 8 of 2021? But... when did Trump make that call to Georgia election officials, you know, when he tried to coerce them into finding votes that never existed? That was Sunday? That was last Sunday, and we found out it, gulp, last Monday? Monday of this week? We did? This week? So, that means that it's Friday, January 8th, 2021. Right?

 

Fucking KILL ME. 

 

All kidding aside, I know this shit will be over in time, if nothing else, Trump will HAVE TO LEAVE OFFICE ON JANUARY 20th WHETHER HE LIKES IT OR NOT. But the next 12 days hold the potential for a nothing but bullshit and tragedy. Who the fuck knows what he's capable of? He was kicked off Facebook for inciting violence, and he was in a 12 hour time out on Twitter, for similar reasons, although it seems he was forgiven, because he posted a hostage video last evening, where he faked sanity. Ordinarily I would link to it, but why? We all know they slipped him some anti-psychotics or something, and he will just spazz-out when they wear off, it's a long standing pattern will the Captain Psychotic. But boy, he sure does seem happy. Like he doesn't have a care in the world.

Most of us in the Resistance would kill to possess that kind of smug asshole-ish super ability. The ability to sleep at night with NO CONSCIENCE OR SENSE OF REALITY WHATSOEVER, to worry about! He no doubt tucks himself in at night, hugs his Big Mac, and drifts off to sleep plotting some wildly undemocratic, anti-American shitshow for the next day. It's his "thinking time". No waking with sweat pouring down his face. No night terror screaming, "HOLY SHIT WHO GAVE HIM A FOOTBALL?... while snoring. All we want is to be able to sleep too. Understand? See, I just want to sleep and not worry about the craven abilities and inclinations of a "horse loose in a hospital" or "toddler with a flamethrower."

12 more days until Biden Day.

 

What could happen regarding Captain Trumps?

25th Amendment? Gee, that sounds nifty.

Impeachment? For the second time? Yes please.

Arrest for launching a coup against the United States?

Is it my birthday? You don't have to ask me twice!

 

I mean he has to face some sort of consequences, right?

 

Look what he's done...

 

 

In case your wondering about my original photo at the top of this post, there is a small bird hiding in the tree. It saw me trying to take it's photo, and began teasing me. I am sure of it. It was fun. Birds get used to people with cameras in their hands. It was this past Sunday. I remember its like it was just yesterday. It was Alan, and me. We were at Woodbridge. There were a ton of small birds, of all kinds, flying in and out of trees, making a lot of noise, and playing, and I was happy. It was the beginning of the new year, and I was photographing new birds for my 2021 bird album. That pretty bird is the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's Warbler). It is one of the first 10 birds to make it into my album, the next day I spotted, a few in my neighbors yard. I was really enjoying that challenge. They are fast little birds. But right now, I am scared and tired and I have a headache. I am unhappy. I want someone to make it stop. Fortunately, I trust Nancy Pelosi, so I know it will eventually stop. Someone will perp walk the horse out of the hospital. Right?

 

 

Enough Is Enough. Impeach The Motherfucker Already.

 

 ~Carly

Impeachment In The Autumn

"A president cannot defend a nation

 if he is not held accountable to it's laws."

~DaShanne Stokes

Wednesday, December 18th, 2019

Donald John Trump is now only the third American president to be impeached. A welcome relief that our system of government is still holding firm, and a sad reality that we are still so as a vulnerable nation. So, what comes next? The Senate will take up the articles of Impeachment soon. When? That's up to Speaker Pelosi. It's up in the air. In the short term, it is now history that rather than take this solemn moment and reflect on it's meaning, Donald John Trump chose to instead to insult the memory of Rep. John Dingle, and insult his window, who is now a member of congress herself. I guess that should surprise no one. But at the same time, he continues to surprise me in his abilities to cause hurt and destruction in every gentle area of life we have left. Basic kindness and decency have seemed so far away with his daily self pitting Twitter bursts. How can any American with an ounce of patriotism support a man so devoid of love for anyone but himself? That's rhetorical, of course. Anyway, as this Autumn comes to a close. this is just one more memory of a season that seamed indifferent. Maybe next autumn will feel more like shining through.

 #88 Leaf Of The Day

December 19th 2019

Nevada City, California

Nikon

~Mood: Quiet

~Me 

I Couldn't Agree More

From For Ellipsis

"There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle."

-Alexis de Tocqueville

Dick Cheney Needs To Shut The HELL Up...

Does anyone else remember when facts counted for something? I am so sick of Dick Cheney making the claim that the Bush administration kept us safe for 7 1/2 years! The thing is... The Bush administration was in power for 8 years! They didn't keep us safe, in fact, George Bush didn't read a key intelligence report titled, "Bin Laden Determined To Attack", in August of 2001. Does anyone else remember how surprised he was when 9/11 happened? Dick Cheney, apparently, not only authorized torture, but indeed, suggested it! The Bush administration with their many crimes and misdeeds, have set the stage for Americans to be in harms way for many, many years to come.

Now, let's discuss Nancy Pelosi...

You know, I wondered why she took Impeachment off the table when she became Speaker of the House. Sigh. I have to admit, I don't want to think it's true that she might have turned her back on the fact that America was torturing detainees, but I am losing my faith in the democrats more and more. I see Obama changing his mind on key issues, and I wonder, will we ever see a day like September 10th, 2001 again? I want my faith in my country back.

They Can Melt Bars Using Only The Power Of Their Minds...

Does anyone else think its kind of silly that folks are getting all worried about the due process of political detainees in American courts? "Colorado doesn't want terrorists in their communities!" LOL. Are the republicans trying to say, that our military and our security forces are too inept to keep these people from harming us? If so, how would these possible terrorists do it? Can they melt bars using only the power of their mind? It's absurd. Guantanamo needs to close just as Obama promised, and these people need to have trials, fair ones, you know like America is famous for. I don't know about you, but I would feel perfectly safe if they transferred them to California for detention.

From Now on Your Name Is Fred...

There is a resolution, by the RNC, to ask the Democratic party to change it's name to the "Democrat Socialist Party."

ROFLMAO... Tee Heeeeee. Snicker, snort, snicker, snorttt. (Hold on, can't breathe)

Tee Hee... Roflmao! Sheesh! Just when I think the republican party can't be anymore exasperating, they make me laugh, and I love them again.

:)

They're nothing if not entertaining!

-Carly